Runnels County, Texas

Runnels County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 9,900.[1] Its county seat is Ballinger.[2] The county was created in 1858 and later organized in 1880.[3] It is named for Hiram G. Runnels, a Texas state legislator.

Runnels County
County
The Runnels County Courthouse in Ballinger
The Runnels County Courthouse in Ballinger
Map of Texas highlighting Runnels County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°50′N 99°58′W
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1880
Named forHiram G. Runnels
SeatBallinger
Largest cityBallinger
Area
 • Total1,057 sq mi (2,740 km2)
 • Land1,051 sq mi (2,720 km2)
 • Water6.2 sq mi (16 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total9,900
 • Density9.4/sq mi (3.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district11th
Websitewww.co.runnels.tx.us

History

The original inhabitants of the area were the Jumano, followed by the Comanche.[4] In 1683–84, Juan Domínguez de Mendoza established a short-lived mission.[5] Fort Chadbourne was established in 1852, as part of a chain of forts in West Texas.[6] Runnels County was formed from Bexar and Travis Counties. It was named in honor of Hiram G. Runnels. Runnels City was the original county seat.[7]

In 1862, Pickettville was established by Mr. and Mrs. John Guest and their three sons, Henry and Robert K. Wylie and their cowboys and a black servant, and Mrs. Felicia Gordon and her five sons.[8] Ballinger was settled by Richard Coffey and family.[9]

The county was organized in 1880, with a population of 980.[4] Ballinger, namesake of William Pitt Ballinger, was selected as the new county seat eight years later.[9] The stone county courthouse was erected in the Second Empire style soon after (1889). Architect Eugene T. Heiner designed the building.[10]

In 1899, the community of Pumphrey, originally named New Hope, was established by William M. Pumphrey.[11] The Santa Fe Depot was built in 1911 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. The Ballinger Carnegie Library in Ballinger was dedicated.[4] The Charles H. Noyes statue on the Ballinger Courthouse lawn, dedicated to the "Spirit of the Texas Cowboy", was sculpted by Pompeo Coppini in 1919.[12]

The MacMillan oil field was discovered near Ballinger in 1927.[4] Eighteen new oil fields were explored by 1949.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,057 square miles (2,740 km2), of which 1,051 square miles (2,720 km2) is land and 6.2 square miles (16 km2) (0.6%) is water.[13]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880980—
18903,193225.8%
19005,37968.5%
191020,858287.8%
192017,074−18.1%
193021,82127.8%
194018,903−13.4%
195016,771−11.3%
196015,016−10.5%
197012,108−19.4%
198011,872−1.9%
199011,294−4.9%
200011,4951.8%
201010,501−8.6%
20209,900−5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1850–2010[15] 2010[16] 2020[17]
Runnels County, Texas - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 6,841 6,062 65.15% 61.23%
Black or African American alone (NH) 165 132 1.57% 1.33%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 43 39 0.41% 0.39%
Asian alone (NH) 19 24 0.18% 0.24%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 6 0.00% 0.06%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 15 15 0.14% 0.15%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 57 268 0.54% 2.71%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,361 3,354 32.01% 33.88%
Total 10,501 9,900 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 11,495 people, 4,428 households, and 3,157 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4.2 people/km2). There were 5,400 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.44% White, 1.40% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 14.31% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. 29.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,428 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,806, and the median income for a family was $32,917. Males had a median income of $25,223 versus $18,988 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,577. About 14.90% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.10% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Politics
United States presidential election results for Runnels County, Texas[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,807 86.35% 552 12.52% 50 1.13%
2016 3,250 85.93% 453 11.98% 79 2.09%
2012 3,104 84.62% 519 14.15% 45 1.23%
2008 3,118 80.63% 720 18.62% 29 0.75%
2004 3,239 80.00% 792 19.56% 18 0.44%
2000 3,020 74.64% 969 23.95% 57 1.41%
1996 1,941 51.58% 1,417 37.66% 405 10.76%
1992 1,653 38.09% 1,401 32.28% 1,286 29.63%
1988 2,417 58.28% 1,720 41.48% 10 0.24%
1984 2,968 71.06% 1,179 28.23% 30 0.72%
1980 2,532 59.82% 1,648 38.93% 53 1.25%
1976 2,203 51.45% 2,068 48.30% 11 0.26%
1972 2,752 78.83% 739 21.17% 0 0.00%
1968 1,707 44.65% 1,448 37.88% 668 17.47%
1964 1,480 35.82% 2,645 64.01% 7 0.17%
1960 2,128 52.22% 1,938 47.56% 9 0.22%
1956 2,416 62.54% 1,442 37.33% 5 0.13%
1952 2,622 58.53% 1,853 41.36% 5 0.11%
1948 526 14.55% 2,954 81.72% 135 3.73%
1944 685 18.09% 2,657 70.16% 445 11.75%
1940 835 21.25% 3,088 78.60% 6 0.15%
1936 313 9.44% 2,985 89.99% 19 0.57%
1932 235 7.30% 2,975 92.39% 10 0.31%
1928 1,645 52.26% 1,494 47.46% 9 0.29%
1924 458 14.48% 2,564 81.09% 140 4.43%
1920 332 17.90% 1,197 64.53% 326 17.57%
1916 195 10.71% 1,487 81.66% 139 7.63%
1912 56 3.85% 1,117 76.82% 281 19.33%

See also

References
  1. "Runnels County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  4. Pinkney, Katherine. "Runnels County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  5. Hundell, Ken and Sharon (2005). Spirits of the Border V: The History and Mystery of the Lone Star State. Omega Press. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-9626087-9-7.
  6. Aston, B W; Taylor, Ira Donathon (1997). Along the Texas Forts Trail. University of North Texas Press. pp. 51–56. ISBN 978-1-57441-035-8.
  7. "Runnels City". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  8. "Picketville". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  9. "Ballinger". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  10. "Runnels County Courthouse". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  11. "Pumphrey". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  12. "The Charles H. Noyes Statue". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  13. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  14. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". US Census Bureau.
  15. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Runnels County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Runnels County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

31.83°N 99.97°W / 31.83; -99.97

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